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Item details
Name: Coolus E 01 (London)
Robinson type: Coolus E
Findspot: From the Thames at Walbrook, London.
Date: First half of 1st century AD.
Now kept: British Museum
Dimensions: H, 140mm; B, 190.5mm; W (including neckguard) 295mm.
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http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/images/thumbs/HelmetDB_PlaceNameI-L_LondonCoolusE-II-1_jpg_thump.jpg http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/images/thumbs/HelmetDB_PlaceNameI-L_LondonCoolusE-II-2_jpg_thump.jpg http://www.romanarmy.com/cms/images/thumbs/HelmetDB_PlaceNameI-L_LondonCoolusE-II-3_jpg_thump.jpg 

Remarks

Item details
Remarks:
  • Bronze helmet bowl, rather low in the crown.
  • The Robinson reference shows this helmet without a plume holder on the crown. However, as displayed in the BM, a holder has been fitted. Also, the helmet is shown with cheek guards fitted, which are not original to this helmet. A cast brow reinforcement is attached at the sides with a single rivet.
  • Another apparent difference between the photo shown in HRR and the helmet on display is that it is quite clear that there is a punched incription on the neck guard, which does not appear in the photo (nor is it mentioned) in HRR. These punched graffiti read: (a) >.M.VAL..VRS.L.DVLCI [Property of Lucius Dulcius in the century of Marcus Valerius Ursus]; (b) >.MART.L.POSTVMVS [In the century of Martialis, Lucius Postumus]; (c) >.SCR.RVFI [Property of Rufus in the century of Scribonius]; (d) >.MA.AVL.SAFVEI [Property of Aulus Saufeius in the century of Martialis]. Some other names appear to have been deleted. (Note: The symbol '>' - a capital 'C' written backwards - is taken to mean 'century'.)
  • Patches are sweated on to the sides of the helmet, above the ears. These appear to have been plume holders.
  • The hinge plates for the cheek guards are each secured in position by a pair of dome-headed rivets.
References:
  • Robinson, H.R. (1975), “The Armour of Imperial Rome”, (Arms & Armour Press), p.32, No.54
  • RIB (Instrumentum domesticum), Vol.2, Fas.III, Helmets, p.44-5, RIB 2425.2
  • Journal of Roman Studies (1951), 142, No.11
  • Brailsford, Illustrated London News, 26th August 1950, 306 with pl.
  • British Museum Quarterly, xvi (1951), 18 with fig. and pl.VIII A.
Now kept: London

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